Mixing and flow controlling valve



June 17, 1952 J. F. OVARY MIXING AND FLOW CONTROLLING VALVE ssheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1948 om. \W

.f A ammi/W llllull I F* INVENTOR J'OHN F. 0 HRY June 17, 1952 J. F.ovARY 2,601,053

MIXING AND FLOW CONTROLLING VALVE Filed Dec. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR ATTO N EY June 17, 1952 1 F, OVARY MIXING AND FLOW CONTROLLINGVALVE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 29, 1948 L qfss INVENTOR JOHN F OVHRY4/ jx /AT NPI//j Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANDFLOW CONTROLLING VALVE John F. Ovary, New York, N. Y.

`Application December 29, 1948, Serial No. 67,780

Claims. 1

This invention relates to valves designed for controlling the mixing andflow of duide. and specifically to valves for controlling the mixing 0fhot and `cold water to Vobtain the desired temperature and rateof flow.

One object of the invention is to provide a valve structure in whichVone operating handle or knob controls the opening.` adjusting andclos.- ing of several fluid inlet ports, simultaneously and to the samedegree, and a second handle or knob controls the degree of mixture ortemperature and the flow to the discharge outlet.

A further object is to provide a valve structure in which one handle orknob controls the volume flow from several inlet ports, and a secondhandle or knob controls the degree of mixture or temperature withoutaffecting the volume of discharge, or vice versa. for varying the rateof flow or discharge without varying the degree of mixture ortemperature. 1

A further object is to provide a valve structure adapted to control theseparation or "distribution of fluid `from a single supply line intoseparate channels at equal or varying rates of flow.

In carrying the invention into effect I provide a single control foropening, adjusting and closing two or more inlet ports simultaneously tothe same degree to control or regulate the volume of fluid entering amixing chamber, and a single control for regulating the degree ofmixture or temperature of the several fluids and the volume entering themixing chamber from the inlet ports and the discharge from the mixingchamber through the outlet port or spout. The same combination maybereversed in its action by employing the outlet port as an inlet, and thetwo or more inlet ports of the chamber as the outlets to separatechannels in which case the mixing chamber operates as a distributor tocontrol the flow into the separate outlet channels.

The invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings as employedwith a hot and cold Water supply, in which,4

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the valve structure onthe line II or Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the valve structure with parts of theupper surface of the valve body broken away to show certain details ofconstruction.

Figures 3 to 10, inclusive, are cross-sectional views of the valve bodyat the lines 3-3 to III--I 0 of Figure 1, and

Figures l1 to 14, inclusive, are enlarged diagrammatic viewsillustrating the lmeans and method for simultaneously controlling orvary- ,2 y ing the admittance of fluid from the several inlet ports tothemixing chamber to obtain or regulate the degree of mixture ortemperature while maintaining the desired volume of discharge.

Referring to `the drawings, and Vmore particu'- larly to Figures 1 'and2, in which the valve structure is shown as specifically designed foruse in controlling the flow and mixing of hot and cold water, it will be'observed that the 'valve `body comprises a cylindrical member `IIhaving two externally screw-threaded projections I2 and I3 adapted toreceive couplings for connection, respectively, to hot and cold Waterservice pipes, and midway between these inlet ports is an in'.- ternallyscrew-threaded outlet adapted to receive a tubular outlet member HIhaving port-holes I5 upon which an outlet or discharge spout I6 isswivelled. Parallel counter-sunk faces of the spout I6 have gaskets I1seated therein, and the lower gasket is seated in a counter-bore on thebody II whereby the spout is sealed watertight on its swivel when memberI4 is screwed down. The valve body II has a cylindrical bore of threediameters, the mid-section I8 having the smaller diameter, the endsections I9 and 20 having the largest diameter and internallyscrewthreaded, and the section 2l a diameter intermediate the bores I8and I9. The bore 'I8 is 'dcsigned to receive a 'close fitting tubularmember 22 having closed ends with ports in the cylindrical surface andadapted for both longitudinal and roe tary movement and functioning bothas a valve member and a mixing chamber as and for the purposehereinafter described.

The tubular member 22 has a flanged head 23 and gasket 24 of smallerdiameter than bore 20 to aiord sullcient clearance for the passage ofuid entering from port I3, and functions as a valve adapted for rotaryand longitudinal movement Within the valve chamber 20 and seats againstthe shoulder Aof bore I8. Head 23 is in the form of a truncated pyramidor cone having a T-slot 25 in which the head 26 of screw-threadedvalve-stem 2l is free't'o'- turn. The valve-#stem works in theinternally screw-threaded neck 28 of packing-cup 2'9 which is screwedinto and closes the bore 20 of the casing. The valve-stem passes throughthe packing'and nut 30 and the protruding end has a handle or knob 3|operatively fixed thereon for imparting longitudinal movement` by meansof the head 26 and screw stem 21 to the mixing chamber and valvesVmounted thereon.

The opposite end oitubular member 22' has a socket as seen at 32 inFigure 1 with flats 33 as seen in Figure 7 adapted to receive thecorrespondingly shaped end 34 of valve-head 35 which is secured tomember 22 by screw 36 for rotary and longitudinal movement therewith.Head 35 has a tubular extension 31 of reduced diameter on which issleeved a gasket 38, the outer diameter of the head and gasket beingsufciently smaller than the bore 2| to aiord the necessary clearance forthe passage of fluid entering from port I2. The bore of head 35 andextension 31 is squared as seen in Figures 1 and 5 for a sliding fitwith the squared end of valvestem 39 on which knob 49 is operativelyfixed for rotating the ported mixing chamber 22 without affecting thelongitudinal position thereof.

The valve-stem 39 has a collar 4|, Figure 1, fixed thereon which servesas a bearing for the valve-stem in packing-cup 42, and the collar beingseated between the internal flange of the cup and packing-ring 43 alsoserves to hold the stem against longitudinal movement. The packing-ring43 is held against the collar 4| by the packing and screw-plug 44.Packing-cup 42 screws into body section I 9 as shown in Figure l and hasa tubular extension 45 of reduced diameter provided with port-holes 46,a flange 41, and a gasket 48 which is compressed between the ange andthe shoulder of bore 2|. The inner rim o'f tubular extension 45 formsthe seat for gasket 38 of valve-head 35 to control the ilow from inletI2 through ports 49 to the mixing chamber.`

The extent of rotary and longitudinal movement of the mixing chamber 2'2and values 24-38 is limited by a stop-pin 49 which is screwed throughthe wall of casing and projects into valve chamber 2| and a cut-out 50on the surface of valve-head 35, Figures 2 and 6. The cutout 50 extendscircumferentially approximately 240 as shown in Figure 6, so that therotary movement of mixing chamber and valve-heads 23`35 will be limitedapproximately to a twothirds revolution.

The mixing chamber 22 has an outlet port 5| which extendscircumferentially approximately 240 to coincide with the cut-out 50 onvalvehead 35, and the width of port is greater than the diameter of portI4 so that during the rotary and longitudinal movement imparted tochamber 22 by the turning of knobs 3| and 40 in either direction, theoutlet from the mixing chamber to discharge port I4 will be direct andalways remain open. The mixing chamber as shown in Figure 1 has twoinlet ports 52 and 53 po-l sitioned preferably near opposite ends of thechamber for the admission of uid from ports I 2 and I3, respectively, byway of channels 54 and 55, respectively, from valve chambers 2f| and 20.

The inlet ports 52 and 53 may be of any suitable angular, ovate, orcircular shape, or may be formed by a series of perforations, but thepreferred shape is quadrilateral, and more specifically trapezoidal, asshown in Figures 11 to 14, the essential feature being an elongatedaperture larger at one end and tapering to a small end or point, and theseveral ports being of equal area, although for certain uses the areasmay vary in definite proportions to provide predetermined rates of flowthrough each port. For the specific use as illustrated in the drawings,ports 52 and 53 are shown as elongated apertures having square andright-angled areas with the tapering ends projecting circumferentiallyin opposite directions and in overlapping relation longitudinally of thecylindrical cham- 4 ber 22 as indicated by Figure 14. Thus it will beseen that the ports 52-53 are so located relative to channels 54 and 55that at full opening of either port a square aperture is presented tothe ilow channel as indicated in Figure 11, and at any intermediateposition of ports 52-53 the combined area of the openings over thechannels 54-55 will equal a full square opening as indicated in Figures12 to 14. The location of port apertures 52-53 on chamber 22 relative tothe length of the channels 54-55 is such that the areas of the portopenings are not affected by the longitudinal movement of the chamber ineiecting the adjustment of inlet valves 24-38. Thus the longitudinalmovement of chamber 22l through the rotation of knob 3| simultaneouslyopens valves 24-38 and regulates the flow volume, and the rotarymovement of the chamber by knob 40 controls the ow through either of theports 52-53 to effect a discharge from outlet I5 of the flow from eithersupply port,

and to regulate the combined flow through those ports to effect thedesired degree of mixture or temperature of the discharge from outlet I5without varying the discharge volume.

The direction of' movement of the chamber 22 is indicated by the arrowpoints in Figure 2. On turning the knob 3| in the direction indicated asOn the rotation of screw-stem 21 draws the chamber toward the knob tounseat valves 24-38 for admitting'fluid simultaneously from inlets |3-I2to channels 55-54, and into the mixing chamber. When knob 3| is turnedin the opposite direction to the limit of its rotary movement screw-stem21 will move chamber 22 and seat valves 2:4-38 to shut ofi the flow frominlet ports |3|2 to channels 55-54 and hence there will be no flow intothe mixing chamber and to the outlet spout I6 regardless of the rotaryposition of the chamber and the position of its ports 52-53 relative tochannels 54-55.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 valves 24-38 are unseated, but not to thefull extent as indicated by the space between the stop-pin 49 and theflange of valve-head 35 in Figure 2, thus allowing a medium ow to themixing chamber. The rotary position of the mixing chamber as shown inFigures 1 and 2 is the midway position as indicated by the position ofthe shoulders of cut-out 50 relative to stop-pin 49 in Figure 6. In thisrotary position oi' the chamber the tapered parts of ports 52-53 will beequalized over the channels 54-55 as illustrated diagrammatically inFigure 12 so that the volume, of flow through the ports will be equaland eect an equal mixture in the mixing chamber of the flow enteringfrom supply ports I 2-I3. When the chamber 22 is rotated -to the limitof its movement by turning knob 40 in the direction indicated as Coldport 53 will be in the fully open position and port 52 in its entirelyclosed position as indicated in Figure l1, and hence the ow into chamber22 will 'be from inlet port I3 only and therefore no mixture, and tovary the rate of flow or discharge from spout I6 knob 3| is turnedtoward On to increase the flow or toward Off to decrease or shut o theflow entirely into chamber 22. When chamber 22 is rotated in theopposite direction indicated as Hot the flow through port 53 is reducedwhile the flow through port 52 is proportionately increased as indicatedin Figure 13, thus maintaining a constant flow into the mixing chamber,but of varying degree from inlet channels 54-55 to vary the degree of imixture or temperature. And when` the chamber is rotated to the'limit of.its movement. in this direction port '53 Will be shut off entirely andthe relative position of ports 52-53 Will be the opposite to that shownin Figure 11. Thus it Will be seen that the degree of mixture ortemperature maybe varied by turning knob 40 in either direction withoutvarying the `discharge flow from spout I E.

It Will be noted that in operating the valve as illustrated, knob 3I isrotated solely to turn on or cut oiT the flow from the several inlet orsupply pipes, and that knob 4D `is rotated solely Ato regulate thedegree of mixture or temperature. Thus it Will be observed that thesetwo movements are operatively independent -of each other, and that theoperation of the ilo-W control does not affect the functioning of themixture or temperature control. Furthermore it will be observed that theoperating handles or knobs may be operated in left or rightsequence, orsimultaneously, to obtain the desired flow volume and the desired degreeof mixture or temperature.

It lWill also be noted that on cutting off the flow to -the mixingchamber by the closure of valves 2li-38 the mixing chamber need not berotated to shift ports 52-53 entirely beyond channels 54-55 in eitherdirection to 'cut off the flow into the mixing chamber since the flow iscompletely cut off by the seating of valves 24-38,

and consequently the mixing chamber ports may be left at any point or ateither extreme as limited by stop-pin 49 and readjusted for any degrecof mixture after or before the flow is reestablished by the unseating ofvalves 2li-38.

It will also be noted that the complete cut oi at either channels 54-55is obtained as` the apex of the port aperture 52 or 53 passes beyond thechannel as indicated in Figure 11, thus obtaining a tapered cut 01T atthose ports, thereby preventing rapid `cut off, regardless of therapidity of rotation of the operating handle or knob and mixing chamber,and completely avoiding Waterhammer.

To employ the valve structure illustrated and described for dividing theilow from a supply line into separate channels all that is necessary isto substitute a supply pipe connection for the outlet member I4 andemploy ports I2 and I3 as outlets instead of inlets. Under suchcondition the uid supply entering at port I 4 will flow through port 5Iinto chamber 22 and out through ports 52-53 into channels 54-55 to valvechambers 2I-2 and pipe line connections |2-I3. The control of valves24-38 and ports 52-53 by knobs 3| and 40 would function as abovedescribed and thus fluid entering at port I4 could be divided anddirected into separate lines or receivers in any desired quantity.

1. In a valve structure of the character described, the combination of acasing having a plurality of supply ports adapted for connection tosupply pipes and a single discharge port, a valve chamber communicatingdirectly with each supply port, a reciprocating valve in each of saidchambers, operating means for actuating said valves in unison, a rotarymixing chamber having a single outlet port opening directly to saiddischarge port and a plurality of inlet ports spaced for single orsimultaneous flow into the chamber, iiow channels leading directly fromsaid inlet valve chambers to said mixing chamber inlet ports, andanother operating means for rotating said chamber to shift said mixingchamber inlet .ports into .communication with saidii'ow channels. f

12.1na valve structure of the character described, -lthe combination ofa casing having a plurality of supply por-ts adapted ifor vconnection`to-supply pipes-and a single-discharge' port, a valve chambercommunicating directly With each supply port, a. `mixing chamberrotated. within said casing, valves moving with said mixing chamber v'tocontrol the flow thereto from said supply ports, la single outlet portfrom said mixing chamber communicatingdirectly 'with said dischargeport, a 4pl-uralityoi' inlet ports on said mixing chamber spaced forsingle or simultaneous Yflow into 'the "chamber, separate ilow channelsleading from said valve chambers to said mixing chamber inlet ports,operating means for reciprocating said mixing. chamber to actuate saidflow control valves, and another operating means for rotating saidchamber independently of its reciprocating movement to regulate the flowinto the chamber from said ow channels.

3. In a valve structure of the character described, the combination of acasing having a plurality of supply ports adapted for connection tosupply pipes and a single discharge port, a valve chamber communicatingdirectly with each supply port, a rotary mixing chamber having aplurality of inlet ports spaced circumferentially thereon, an outletport on said mixing chamber communicating directly with said dischargeport, now channels leading from said valve chambers to individual mixingchamber inlet ports, a plurality of valve-heads mounted on said mixingchamber for controlling the ow through said channels, operating meansfor reciprocating said mixing chamber for actuating said valves, andmeans for rotating said mixing chamber independently of itsreciprocating movement to successively vary the inlet area of each ofthe mixing chamber inlet ports communicating with said ilow channels.

4, In a valve structure of the character described, the combination of acasing having a plurality of supply ports adapted for connection tosupply pipes and a single discharge port, supply chambers communicatingwith the supply ports, a valve in each of said chambers, a movablemixing chamber within said casing having a single outlet port openingdirectly to said discharge port, a plurality of inlet ports formed onsaid mixing chamber and spaced for single or simultaneous flow into saidchamber, flow channels leading from said supply chambers to said mixingchamber inlet ports, operating means for actuating the aforesaid valvesin unison to control the flow simultaneously from the supply chambersinto said ow channels, and another operating means for moving the mixingchamber to regulate the flow into said chamber from said flow channelswithout varying the volume now to the discharge port.

5. In a valve structure of the class described, the combination of asingle valve casing having a pair of supply chambers and a dischargeport, a mixing chamber adapted for rotation and re- Vciprocation withinsaid casing, a pair of inlet channels leading from the supply chambersto said mixing chamber inlet ports, a valve elementat each end of saidmixing chamber co-operating with valve seats on said casing forcontrolling the flow of fluid from the supply chambers to said mixingchamber, operating means at one end of said casing for impartingreciprocating movement to said mixing chamber to control the ow of fluidfrom the supply chambers to the mixing chambers, operating means at theopposite end of said casing for imparting rotary movement to said mixingchamber to regulate the admission of uids into said chamber, said mixingchamber having a pair of inlet ports and a single outlet port, and saidmixing chamber inlet ports being similarly shaped with tapering outlinesand 1ocated relatively to the aforesaid inlet channels so that as themixing chamber is rotated one of said ports will present graduallyincreasing port area to its inlet channel while the other port presentsa relatively decreasing port area to its inlet channel whereby the nowof uids into the mixing chamber may be varied from one extreme to theother without varying the volume ow to the discharge port of the casing.

J OHN F. OVARY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Symmons Jan. 12, 1943

